UFC veteran Jim Miller took an unexpected turn during his victory speech at Madison Square Garden, using the moment to spotlight a surprising cause: justice for P’Nut the Squirrel.
Miller, who extended his record to 27 wins—the most in UFC history—had more on his mind than just celebrating his victory when he addressed the crowd on Saturday night.
After submitting his opponent Damon Jackson in the first round with a swift guillotine chokehold, Miller grabbed the microphone from host Joe Rogan.
Instead of discussing his performance, Miller immediately turned to a political issue that has stirred controversy in recent weeks.
“New York, I’ve got one thing to say first: We need justice for P’Nut,” Miller declared, sparking a mixed reaction from the audience.
The mention of P’Nut, a squirrel seized and euthanized by New York State officials last month, ignited a roar from the crowd—some cheered in agreement, while others voiced their outrage at the state’s actions.
Miller continued, “It’s not just about a squirrel. It’s about all the kids who went hungry that night and the misuse of resources. We need to ask ourselves why the state would spend time and money on something like this when there are bigger issues at hand.”
The story of P’Nut has gained significant traction, particularly among conservative circles, where it has become a symbol of government overreach.
The squirrel was taken from its home and put down by state officials as part of a rabies test, a move that has sparked widespread criticism.
The incident has drawn the attention of high-profile figures, including Elon Musk and Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who have both commented on the case as an example of excessive state interference.
Miller concluded his speech with a nod to the newly formed DOGE project, a collaborative effort by President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy aimed at reducing government waste and overreach.
“Hopefully, the DOGE initiative can help clean things up at the state level,” Miller remarked, clearly linking his fight for justice for P’Nut to broader political reforms.
Joe Rogan, visibly surprised, responded with a laugh, “I like how you used your post-victory speech as a political rally.”
The case of P’Nut the squirrel has become a rallying point for many who see it as an emblem of unnecessary government intervention.
The story has been widely shared on social media and has even influenced political discussions at the highest levels. For Miller, bringing up the issue on such a prominent stage was a chance to shine a light on what he sees as a broader problem of state misuse of power.